At age 33 Eric wasone of the most popular up and coming drivers working out of the John Force stable. On the Monday after the Gainesville race, Eric was doing a routine test session when his car crashed into a guardrail. He was in hospital for days before he died of his injuries. Medlen took over driving duties from Tony Pedregon in 2003 after being a crewman for John Force's car.
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Sadly to say that in a period of a week NASCAR lost two of it's colorful personalities to the aweful disease of cancer. Benny Parsons and Bobby Hamilton both succombed to cancer. Benny was the first driver to go faster than 200mph during qualifying at the 1982 Winston 500 at Talladega. He won the Winston Cup Championship in 1975 and won 23 Winston Cup races thru his career and 16 ARCA races. He went on to Broadcasting winston Cup and now Nextel cup races.
Bobby Hamilton raced in many Winston cup races and teams such as the #4 Kodak car and had alot of success in the series. He then went on to race in the Craftsman Truck Series where he became the champion in 2004.  
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Oct 24, 2004On this day of Oct 24, 2004, 10 passengers on a Hendrick Motorsports Beech 200 King Air crashed on their way to the Subway 500 at Martinsville Speedway, which one of the Hendrick Motorsports teams won, Jimmie Johnson. Triumph turned to sadness as Jimmie Johnson's team and other Nascar teams were not told of the tragedy until after the race. On board the plane were: Ricky Hendrick (Rick Hendrick's son), John Hendrick (Rick's Brother), Kimberly and Jennifer Hendrick (Rick's daughters), Joe Jackson (Dupont executive), Jeff Turner (GM of Hendrick Motorsports), Randy Dorton (chief engine builder), Scott Lathram ( Tony Stewart's pilot), Richard Tracy and Elizaabeth Morrison (Hendrick pilots). The Hendrick's Motorsports and Nascar community have been hit with a very sad tragedy and I wish the best to all their families. |
1968-2004Darrell Russell took over the Top Fuel ride of Joe Amato after Joe retired. He won his first race as a professional driver and was the 2001 rookie of the year. In 2002 he won back to back races in Denver and Seattle. Here he is pictured with my wife after he won the Lucas Oil Northwest Nationals in Seattle. Darrell was a class act and drove for a class act with Amato racing. This is a fitting picture to remember Darrell by, with a Wally in his hand! Thanks to Darrell for letting us take this picture, and we will miss you. |
1945-2004Roy Smith is from my home town and I have seen him and his son race in many races at our local track, Western Speedway. He also raced in Winston West and won championships in 1980, 1981, 1982, and 1988. In 1982 he raced in the Daytona 500 and went there with the support of the Victoria fans and businesses that raised $35,000 to help finance his "Pride Of Victoria" car. He ended up 10th that day. He could of had a Winston Cup ride but turned it down because of commitments with the "Pride of Victoria" car. As the story goes Mark Martin now has the ride that could have been. Roy died in a fishing accident off the coast of Vancouver Island in late February 2004 with 2 others that were on the trawler with him. As a member of the Victoria Racing Hall of Fame he will always be remembered forever. |
 
1951-2001It is truly a sad day in NASCAR history, the day NASCAR lost one of its great legendary drivers. February 18,2001. During the Daytona 500 it was supposed to be a day of joy when Michael Waltrip (driving for Earnhardt) won his first Winston Cup race. Instead while Dale Jr. and Dale Earnhardt were lined behind Waltrip protecting Waltrip's lead Dale got turned around and went straight into the wall front end first. The injuries were too much and he died soon after in hospital. He surely will be missed by all NASCAR fans whether you liked his driving style or not. He definely was my favorite driver and will miss the black  . |
1942-2000The famous announcer worked for NHRA for over two decades with TNN, ABC, NBC, and became a National Dragster editor. He announced races as early as 19 years of age at California tracks and in 1966 began announcing NHRA National Events. He will be missed by drivers and fans alike for when you think of NHRA on T.V. you immediately think Steve Evans! |
1964-2000During the October 14 O'Reilly 400 Nascar Crafstman Truck Race at Texas Motor Speedway, Tony Roper was involved in a serious accident with Steve Grissom and suffered a severe neck injury after hitting the wall head on. He was driving the Mike Mittler owned #26 Ford. Tony had 60 starts in the truck series but also raced in the Busch series for Joe Washington in the Dr. Pepper Chevrolet (pictured) but after limited success was released as the driver. |
1969-2000Just eight weeks after Adam Petty another fatal accident at the New Hampshire Speedway has claimed the life of Kenny Irwin. It happened at the same turn as Adam Petty's accident during a practice session for the Thatlook.com 300. Kenny started racing in USAC midgets then to the Craftsman Truck Series. His first ride in Winston Cup was with Robert Yates in the #28 Havoline Ford before moving to Felix Sabates #42 Chevrolet. |
1980-2000Another tragic loss for the Petty family, the son of Kyle Petty was practicing for the Busch 200 at the New Hampshire speedway, when he spun out and hit the wall in turn three, and was fataly injured. My best wishes go out to the Petty family. |
1914-2000 Father of Richard Petty, and founder of Petty Enterprises. Lee Petty won the first Daytona 500 in 1959. He won three championships in 1954, 1958, and 1959. Richard Petty, Richard's son Kyle, and now Kyle's son Adam all are still active in Nascar racing today marking the first time four generations of drivers have raced in Nascar. |
 
1975-1999Although my site is all about NASCAR and NHRA, this one has touched my heart. Greg Moore from Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada, (which is very close to where I live) was fatally injured in a terrifying crash on October 31, 1999, during the CART Marlboro 500 in Fontana Ca. He joined the CART series in 1996 after racing in the Indy Lights for a few years. In Milwalkee 1997, he became the youngest winner of a major CART event. He will surely be missed by the race fans of Canada and especially here in British Columbia. |
 
1962-1996Drove Travers Tools Top Fuel Dragster.He was a 3 time champion in NHRA's Top Alcohol Dragster class. During the 1996 U.S Nationals Blaine was on a record setting run when the right rear tire exploded and sent the car crashing at over 300mph. He died on Aug 31, 1996 from his injuries. Alan Johnson, Blaine's brother and crew chief, is still involved in racing as crew chief for the team Winston Top Fuel Dragster driven by Gary Scelzi.
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1946-1994Neil Bonnet had a severe crash during a 1994 Daytona 500 practice session. He had been away from racing for a few years and this was his first race back after a few years of announcing races. He was good friends with the late Dale Earnhardt. |
1954-1993Drove #7 Hooters Ford Thunderbird.Alan was the rookie of the year in 1986. On April 1,1993 a plane crash took his life.In honor of Alan and his Polish nationality, winning drivers of various races will do a "Polish Victory Lap". (around the track in the opposite direction). |
1961-1993Driver of the #28 Havoline Ford Thunderbird and son of racing great Bobby Allison. He was the 1987 rookie of the year in Nascar's top division. Sadly a helicopter crash on July 13,1993 ended his life. |